Industry News & Issues

On your behalf, CANS works hard to build relationships with all levels of government, ensuring we are at the table and part of the decision making process on public policy and issues that affect the construction industry.

CANS and the industry have long supported the Province of Nova Scotia and worked with various Departments, partnering together on numerous and important items in the construction industry. We are committed to ensuring that you are aware of the very collaborative working relationship we share with government.

Prompt Payment

Late payment practices are an important issue for Nova Scotia’s construction industry and CANS has been lobbying the provincial government to enact appropriate payment legislation that would establish minimum norms for payment schedules. In an effort to substantiate our assumptions, CANS surveyed members in June 2015, December 2016, and February 2018 to solicit their feedback and help guide us on their behalf. The following report compares respondents answers between the three surveys. Click HERE to view the comparison document highlighting their results.

The Nova Scotia Prompt Payment Coalition is a province-wide coalition led by the Construction Association of Nova Scotia and includes contractors, unions, suppliers, general contractors, trade contractors, and anyone else who is invested in working to convince the provincial government to enact appropriate payment legislation that would establish minimum norms for payment schedules. For more information, click HERE.

Apprenticeship & Skilled Trades

CANS has been working side-by-side with several member companies for the last two years on changes to the Apprenticeship Act through an Apprenticeship Agency committee. The announcement of the changes, made in February 2018, are intended to move toward a more level playing field and benefit our members who choose to invest in training, safety, etc.

Proposed Changes to Canada’s Tax Code

In September 2017, CANS, along with 34 local businesses and associations across the province, joined forces and formed the Nova Scotia Coalition for Small Business Tax Fairness. The employer coalition, representing tens of thousands of independent businesses, professionals and taxpayers across a wide range of sectors and regions of Nova Scotia, are signatories on a letter sent to Premier Stephen McNeil demanding him to oppose the tax changes being proposed by the federal Minister of Finance. CANS concern was that the Federal Government’s proposed changes to Canada’s tax code could hurt small businesses not only in the construction industry, but every industry across Nova Scotia.

Click HERE to read the press release sent to Nova Scotia media, and HERE to read the letter sent to Premier McNeil. Click HERE to read the email we sent to all CANS members informing them about the proposed changes.

Builders’ Lien Act

The complex process of implementing new regulations for the Builders’ Lien Act took six years. Over this period of time, CANS worked closely with industry stakeholders and the Province of Nova Scotia to finalize these regulations, as they have important implications for the non-residential construction industry in Nova Scotia. All three industry recommended amendments to the Act that were proclaimed took full affect on June 30, 2017.

Click HERE to learn more about our involvement with the Builders’ Lien Act and SubstantialPerformance.com

Occupational Health and Safety Act

Over the past decade, the construction industry in Nova Scotia has invested heavily to improve safety in the commercial industrial industry. CANS has worked closely with the Office of the Employer Advisor, industry stakeholders and the Province, holding public consultation and information sessions for members to review regulations and to discuss the impact to employers and Nova Scotia business. In June 2017, amendments to the Occupational Health & Safety Act were passed and came into full force to help keep Nova Scotians safe at work.

Click HERE to learn more about CANS involvement with the Occupational Health & Safety Act.